PHELPS COUNTY, Mo. — A crash involving multiple semitrucks on Interstate 44 Wednesday morning brought both the nearby cities of Doolittle and Newburg to a "complete standstill," according to the Doolittle Rural Fire Protection District.
The crash happened in the westbound lanes of the interstate near mile marker 169, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP). The fire district said crews that responded to the scene reported multiple overturned tractor-trailers on the roadway.
"The westbound lanes are completely shut down," the district said. "The cities of Doolittle and Newburg are at a complete standstill with some people that have been stranded for over an hour."
No fatalities were reported.
Officials asked all drivers to avoid Doolittle due to the large amount of traffic at the scene. Officials were working to remove the vehicles as of 10:07 a.m.
Flooding from Tuesday's storms is also complicating efforts to reopen the roadway, MSHP said.